Patents Examined by Brittany E Towns
  • Patent number: 8696417
    Abstract: A modular exhaust gas header designed for use with a process tool having a plurality of exhaust gas points of connection. Embodiments of the modular exhaust gas header include a plurality of branch ducts, at least one for each point of connection in the process tool. Branch ducts, and primary ducts with which they are fluidly connected, may be made from materials designed to withstand exhaust gases that have a high temperature, are corrosive, and/or include volatile solvents. If desired, flow control devices and pressure monitoring instrumentation that selectively measures pressure may be used in each branch duct. The header local to the processing system may be incorporated in a method of designing a layout for a manufacturing process tool and associated exhaust gas handling systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: NEHP Inc.
    Inventors: Adam L. Tarr, Andrew J. Beers, Joseph E. Mastro
  • Patent number: 8690651
    Abstract: A rack system (100) comprises a plurality of racks (105) arranged to form at least one aisle (120) between them. The aisle (120) is sealed such that essentially all of a cooling medium supplied to the aisle (120) passes through the racks (105). A bleeding opening is provided for enabling a bleeding of the cooling medium out of the aisle (120) and an entering of an ambient medium into the aisle (120). A sensor (such as a temperature sensor) is arranged to determine a medium flow direction through the bleeding opening. In one embodiment, a signal generated by the sensor is used to control at least one parameter of the cooling medium supplied to the aisle (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Knurr AG
    Inventors: Olivier Honold, Rupert Reiter, Martin Gallmann
  • Patent number: 8684800
    Abstract: A body armor cooling system for law enforcement officers or military or security personnel having a hook-shaped nozzle attached to one end of a flexible hose member and a bellows assembly attached to the other end of the flexible hose member. The end of the hook-shaped nozzle is tucked beneath the protective armor that the law enforcement officer is wearing in order to provide a cooling effect. The bellows assembly is connected to the air conditioner vent opening on the dash of the vehicle. The bellows assembly makes an air tight seal with the dash of the vehicle and it can easily be attached and detached. A universal vent attachment system makes the present invention usable in any vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: CoolCop, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald Baldal
  • Patent number: 8651926
    Abstract: An ice separator is provided that includes, but is not limited to at least one curved airflow deflection surface. The ice separator includes, but is not limited to an inflow aperture with a downstream trapping pocket at the airflow deflection surface, in which trapping pocket ice particles from an airflow flowing onto the ice separator are trapped due to their inertial forces. In this way with simple means an effective device for removing ice particles from airflow may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Till Gundlach
  • Patent number: 8647182
    Abstract: An exhaust fan assembly is provided for expelling contaminated air from a building. The assembly includes a plenum, a fan assembly attached to the plenum, and a windband mounted on top of the fan assembly. The fan assembly is constructed of cylindrical outer and inner walls which define a bearing chamber and surrounding annular space. A fan driven by a shaft extending downward from the bearing chamber draws exhaust air from the plenum and blows it up through the annular space to a nozzle at the top of the fan assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Greenheck Fan Corporation
    Inventors: John William Enzenroth, Terry Lee Hrdina, Kishor Kashinath Khankari, Scott James Koeppel, Edward G. Legner, Timothy Ronald Mathson, Anthony J. Rossi, Michael Glenn Seliger
  • Patent number: 8622790
    Abstract: An airflow guide includes a top cover and two side covers. The two side covers are disposed on opposite ends of the top cover. At least one of the two side covers includes a base plate and a sliding plate. The base plate is fixedly connected to the top cover. The sliding plate is slidably connected to the base plate. The sliding plate slides relative to the base plate, such that an air inlet is defined in the at least one of the two side covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Shin Chou, Zhen-Xing Ye, Xian-Guang Tan
  • Patent number: 8568209
    Abstract: Air-conditioning systems for vehicles include at least one air-distribution duct and at least one air-return duct. The at least one air-distribution duct is in air flow communication with at least one air-conditioning unit and is adapted to extend along a substantial portion of the interior of the vehicle. The at least one air-distribution duct includes at least one opening through which air conditioned by the at least one air-conditioning unit can be discharged to the interior of the vehicle. The at least one air-return duct also has at least one opening though which air from the interior of the vehicle can pass and be discharged from the air-return duct at a discharge location. The at least one air-return duct is adapted to extend to one or more areas of the vehicle interior so that at least one opening in the air-return duct is substantially removed from the discharge location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Dometic Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Boxum
  • Patent number: 8512111
    Abstract: A vehicle cowl box structure is provided basically with an air inlet, an air outlet, an air passageway and a flow restriction device. The air inlet is arranged to receive outside air. The air outlet is arranged to convey the outside air to a vehicle HVAC system. The air passageway extends between the air inlet and the air outlet to convey the outside air from the air inlet to the air outlet. The flow restriction device is disposed in the air passageway at a point between the air inlet and the air outlet. The flow restriction device is configured and arranged to automatically decrease airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet as the airflow through the air inlet increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean Cavanaugh
  • Patent number: 8512109
    Abstract: The effect of a windshield for a saddle-type vehicle such as a low-slung type of motorcycle or three-wheeled vehicle is enhanced, and pressure is sufficiently adjusted in an open space at the back of the windshield using an inventive windshield system. The vehicle includes a leg shield in front of legs of a rider, and a step space rearward of the leg shield. The windshield system includes a windshield which is provided with an air outlet that opens upward. An air inlet provided at the front of the vehicle communicates with the air outlet other through a duct, and the air outlet opens to the upper center of the windshield. Pressure adjusting outlets, for adjusting pressure in a space around the rider by blowing air toward the step space, are provided separately from the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukiya Ueda, Haruomi Sugita, Yukinori Kurakawa, Hiroyuki Ozawa, Takefumi Okubo
  • Patent number: 8500526
    Abstract: A system for maintaining a desired cabin pressure in an aircraft includes a cabin-pressure control sub-system; a pressure relief valve for operation in event of failure or malfunction of the subsystem; a pressure relief valve actuator for operating the pressure relief valve; and a pressure relief valve control (PRVC) for producing commands for operation of the pressure relief valve actuator responsively to a first set of signal indicative of aircraft altitude and to presence of cabin-to-ambient pressure differential (?P) that varies from a desired ?P by a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc
    Inventor: Darrell Wayne Horner
  • Patent number: 8496514
    Abstract: An intelligent energy saving ventilation control system capable of drastically reducing power consumption of the system. The system includes suction and exhaust ducts having a predetermined shape, a pre-filter disposed at an entry region of the suction duct, and a composite filter disposed behind the pre-filter. The system includes a fan motor disposed between the suction and exhaust ducts to linearly control an internal suction pressure in the suction duct; a turning angle motor for controlling a turning angle of the composite filter; an outdoor air sensor for measuring freshness of outdoor air, converting the measured result into an electrical signal, and outputting the signal; and a control unit for controlling operations of the turning angle motor and the fan motor in order to control an aperture angle of the composite filter and an internal pressure in the suction duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Konkuk University Industrial Cooperation Corp.
    Inventors: Jo Chun Kim, Sang Gwi Chung, Youn Suk Son, Young Sunwoo
  • Patent number: 8469781
    Abstract: A barrier survival system that isolates a safe volume within a mine or other confined structure and provides breathable air to one or more survivors within the safe volume who are awaiting rescue by generating oxygen, removing one or more toxins, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide; and providing heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: James J. Reuther, Richard W. Givens, Frank J. Bis, James M. Gant, James T. Worthington, II
  • Patent number: 8460074
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing breathable air to one or more safe havens in an underground mine from a source external to the mine utilizing a source of compressed, breathable air located outside of the underground mine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Harold Akers
  • Patent number: 8460073
    Abstract: In an air conditioning case of an air conditioner, an air mixing chamber, a warm-air bypass passage, a first warm-air passage and a second warm-air passage are provided. The warm-air bypass passage is located in a part of space, in which the air mixing chamber is provided, and the second warm-air passage is located at an opposite side of the first warm-air passage with respect to the air mixing chamber. The warm air flowing in the warm-air bypass passage makes a U-turn at the second warm-air passage and flows toward the air mixing chamber. Therefore, in the air mixing chamber, the cool air is inserted between the warm air from the first warm-air bypass passage and the warm air from the second warm-air passage, from two sides of the cool air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Gotoh, Akira Shiraishi, Shinichi Naganuma
  • Patent number: 8454415
    Abstract: A supply channel is provided with an air distribution system for vehicles, in particular for aircraft. The supply channel includes, but is not limited to an elongated housing, a hollow profile extending in longitudinal direction of the housing, and at least one air shower that includes, but is not limited to an air inlet and at least one air outlet. A generated surface of the hollow profile includes, but is not limited to a multitude of perforation openings. The at least one is designed such that in a region of the air inlet it rests tightly against the generated surface of the hollow profile. Perforation openings that do not lead to an air inlet of an air shower can be sealed off by an adhesive film or foil that has been applied. The supply channel makes possible variable positioning of air showers along the longitudinal direction of the supply channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Anja Nitsche, Markus Horst, Hannes Hedemann, David Geibel
  • Patent number: 8425283
    Abstract: An aircraft ventilating air intake arrangement has an air passage channel and an air vent that ventilate a confined cone in an aircraft with fresh air entering the channel upstream and exiting the channel downstream towards the zone to be ventilated. A controllable blocking device enables the cross section of the channel to be varied with an elastically deformable membrane, under the action of fluid control, according to the speed and the altitude of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Alain Porte, Damien Prat
  • Patent number: 8419515
    Abstract: An air register for diffusing air away from an existing air duct may include a body with an open panel and plurality of louvers situated therealong. The body may include a plurality of planar side walls extending orthogonally to the panel and disposed inwardly from an outer perimeter thereof. A mechanism may be included for articulating the interconnected louvers between open and closed positions. A second mechanism may be included for magnetically affixing the planar walls to the existing air duct. In operation, the magnetically affixing mechanism may be automatically displaced outwardly and away from the planar side walls while the interconnected louvers biasing mechanism is toggled between the open and closed positions. In this manner, the body may be maintained at a substantially stable position during articulation of the interconnected louvers by maintaining the magnets firmly against the walls of the air duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin Dillon
  • Patent number: 8376822
    Abstract: An air curtain arrangement and method of operating the arrangement are provided. The arrangement includes at least one air curtain unit having a supply plenum, a return air duct, and an intermediate air duct therebetween and separates relatively warm and cold areas. The air curtain discharges an air stream across a doorway from an outlet aperture of a discharge plenum toward an air return duct, at a discharge angle. A portion of the air stream is received at an inlet aperture of the return air duct. The portion of the air stream that is received at the air return duct is monitored. The discharge angle is adjusted to maximize the portion of the air that is received. One embodiment controls the discharge angle based on the temperature of the received portion of the air stream. Another embodiment senses the force of the air stream received proximate the inlet aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventors: Peter R. Smith, Daniel J. Rhyner, Michael E. Pederson
  • Patent number: 8360834
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved AHU that can be easily architecturally disguised, made in a modular unit, have increased overall efficiency and ease of servicing, reduce radial noise emissions and allow for the direct adjacent placement of additional AHU's. This AHU has a cuboid structure with smooth side walls that are insulated and adapted for the attachment of aesthetic surface treatments, roof inset fans louvered end walls with door access. Heat removal can accomplished through angled heat exchangers also housed within the enclosure. Air filtration is also accomplished with angled filters. The improved aesthetic appearance of these units also eliminates the use of surrounding architectural parapet walls or screening units. The improved space effectiveness and modularity shall provide greater flexibility in building construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas Middleton Semmes
  • Patent number: 8342922
    Abstract: A blower assembly for an automotive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system includes a housing having an opening and a blower wheel supported by the housing that directs air through the opening of the housing. A plurality of ribs are disposed within the opening of the housing and define a plurality of channels for directing air through the opening of the housing and toward the blower wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Deneau, Tushar A. Desai, Chad H. Morrison, William J. Elliott